It's amazing how gardening heals the soul. Better by far than shrinks and self-help books.
Dirt Under the Fingernails
I'd neglected the garden
while you were mending.
Even thought of moving
somewhere smaller...
Watched summer scorch
the poor old rhododendrons,
and autumn's dappled palette
rot beneath the trees.
Then, as winter donned its frosty overcoat
and you slipped into the driver's seat
of your recovery,
I began on the onion-weed.
What a splendid way to scratch the creative itch.
What a ballsy blend of violence and nurturing.
What a singular chance to grunt and strain,
to coax and cajole - to LIVE again.
As time and order grow,
so I become more ruthless,
till the woodpile doubles and trebles in size
and my face is flaming.
Soon spring blossoms,
and I walk fresh paths -
buds of anticipation
bursting within me.
Today is raining
and yesterday's camellias
are settling happily into their new homes.
I wonder what tomorrow will bring?
BlackHearted-Bard
A beautiful poem indeed! I think that gardening, or at least having an intimate relationship with nature is a fundamental human necessity.
A beautiful poem indeed! I think that gardening, or at least having an intimate relationship with nature is a fundamental human necessity.
Andrew Blakemore
A wonderful parallel drawn between the coming spring and with new life and opportunities. Lovely poem Alison.
A wonderful parallel drawn between the coming spring and with new life and opportunities. Lovely poem Alison.
indira
tomorrow will be another day...
tomorrow will be another day...
Don
After the death of winter, to cut and tear and dig, looking for coming life of spring...that's the thing. May you have a wonderful summer in your part of the world. Much growth to you!
After the death of winter, to cut and tear and dig, looking for coming life of spring...that's the thing. May you have a wonderful summer in your part of the world. Much growth to you!
Sana Rose
A fine piece..! I think that's how my mom is trying to heal her tired and retired soul... So I can feel it...
A fine piece..! I think that's how my mom is trying to heal her tired and retired soul... So I can feel it...
Ken e Hall
This poem talks my language the doc of relaxation and the founder of aching backs, I can smell the words you write..I hope tomorrow does bring lots of flowers in your garden..regards
This poem talks my language the doc of relaxation and the founder of aching backs, I can smell the words you write..I hope tomorrow does bring lots of flowers in your garden..regards
mistycalpoet
Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting dirty without feeling guilty, and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity... Loved and enjoyed it very much ;)-Misty
Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting dirty without feeling guilty, and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity... Loved and enjoyed it very much ;)-Misty
Dorothy A. Holmes apwlts2
Perfection of your poetic voice now I am anxious to have dirt under my nails...Oh I miss how easy it use to be. Most enjoyable. Dorothy A Poet Who Loves To Sing
Perfection of your poetic voice now I am anxious to have dirt under my nails...Oh I miss how easy it use to be. Most enjoyable. Dorothy A Poet Who Loves To Sing
Prince Obed de la CRUZ
i like this poem... nice wordings!
i like this poem... nice wordings!
Nikunj
life's garden or garden's life ...this poem is a gem . the title is so apt and desrving , the flow is smooth and colorful ..thsi sparkles like a fresh rainbow..
life's garden or garden's life ...this poem is a gem . the title is so apt and desrving , the flow is smooth and colorful ..thsi sparkles like a fresh rainbow..
Leslie Alexis
ah. so beautiful. so super beautiful
ah. so beautiful. so super beautiful
Munia Khan
Another gorgeous piece of marvel here..I love the Buds of anticipation so much and also this particular stanza -Then, as winter donned its frosty overcoat and you slipped into the driver's seat of your recovery, I began on the onion-weed....Simply beautiful !!
Another gorgeous piece of marvel here..I love the Buds of anticipation so much and also this particular stanza -Then, as winter donned its frosty overcoat and you slipped into the driver's seat of your recovery, I began on the onion-weed....Simply beautiful !!
Mark L. Berryann
Drawn into your world through your words! This is great!
Drawn into your world through your words! This is great!
Shashendra Amalshan
"Soon spring blossoms,and I walk fresh paths -buds of anticipation, bursting within me." I loved those lines Allie. I should probably say that it is amazing the manner in which your poem healed and filled my heart with refreshing air. Probably I should give a shot at gardening too lol, i thought gardening is very tormenting and tiresome lol ha ha .. Anyway, I specially loved the way in which you picked up the pace towards the latter part of the poem. And the note in which you end the poem is perfect. Another one to add to yuor lovely poetry collection
"Soon spring blossoms,and I walk fresh paths -buds of anticipation, bursting within me." I loved those lines Allie. I should probably say that it is amazing the manner in which your poem healed and filled my heart with refreshing air. Probably I should give a shot at gardening too lol, i thought gardening is very tormenting and tiresome lol ha ha .. Anyway, I specially loved the way in which you picked up the pace towards the latter part of the poem. And the note in which you end the poem is perfect. Another one to add to yuor lovely poetry collection
erik99
From the deliberately flat, rather prosy style of the first section to the exquisitely symbolic last one, a wonderful progression of thoughts, feelings, images and words.
From the deliberately flat, rather prosy style of the first section to the exquisitely symbolic last one, a wonderful progression of thoughts, feelings, images and words.
john o'connell
sometimes the dirt under the fingernails is more valuable than gold. thanks for your comments again. john
sometimes the dirt under the fingernails is more valuable than gold. thanks for your comments again. john
Mike
I've never gardened, but this beautiful song of life renewed, makes me want to get started!!
I've never gardened, but this beautiful song of life renewed, makes me want to get started!!
Karin Anderson
And what a way to avoid self -help books and shrinks, to work in nature's realm and through toil (exercise) and creativity solve any problems you may have. And how you must work 'ballsy blend of violence and nurturing, grunt and strain, the woodpile doubling and then trebling in size with a your flaming face'. So many special images to savour 'winter donned it's frosty overcoat' 'soon spring blossoms an I walk paths' 'buds of anticipation bursting within me'. In a way it reminds me of Australian Poet Kate Llewellyn who adored her garden and adorned her poetry with her garden too! A splendid poem to a poet I admire who makes the most of life's challenges.
And what a way to avoid self -help books and shrinks, to work in nature's realm and through toil (exercise) and creativity solve any problems you may have. And how you must work 'ballsy blend of violence and nurturing, grunt and strain, the woodpile doubling and then trebling in size with a your flaming face'. So many special images to savour 'winter donned it's frosty overcoat' 'soon spring blossoms an I walk paths' 'buds of anticipation bursting within me'. In a way it reminds me of Australian Poet Kate Llewellyn who adored her garden and adorned her poetry with her garden too! A splendid poem to a poet I admire who makes the most of life's challenges.
Susan Jarvis
What a fantastic title, and the rest of the poem is a triumph. I love this 'ballsy blend of violence and nurturing' - for me, this line reflects the pent up anguish and love within, and I like the way the garden reflects inner hope; 'I walk fresh paths - buds of anticipation bursting within me' says it all. Breathakingly beautiful with a refreshing dose of Alison realism in the blend. :)
What a fantastic title, and the rest of the poem is a triumph. I love this 'ballsy blend of violence and nurturing' - for me, this line reflects the pent up anguish and love within, and I like the way the garden reflects inner hope; 'I walk fresh paths - buds of anticipation bursting within me' says it all. Breathakingly beautiful with a refreshing dose of Alison realism in the blend. :)
sonetta
i'm looking at gardening in a new light....i can see how it can be cathartic, how it can relieve stress, vent frustrations, focus your energies, get you grounded, bring out the nurturer in you and give you satisfaction and inspiration and make you think of the future.....one of your best Allie!
i'm looking at gardening in a new light....i can see how it can be cathartic, how it can relieve stress, vent frustrations, focus your energies, get you grounded, bring out the nurturer in you and give you satisfaction and inspiration and make you think of the future.....one of your best Allie!
Bob Blackwell
I to love my garden, its work brings joy. If we are busy the time flies by and all the pain flies away. Loved your poem Ali
I to love my garden, its work brings joy. If we are busy the time flies by and all the pain flies away. Loved your poem Ali
sarwar chowdhury
significant thoughts and beautiful wording! A fine poetic expressions! Thank you for sharing this nice piece!
significant thoughts and beautiful wording! A fine poetic expressions! Thank you for sharing this nice piece!
nimal dunuhinga
Gardener knows of the rich soil and its frgrance of rare flowers. Pour more water if available.
Gardener knows of the rich soil and its frgrance of rare flowers. Pour more water if available.
Fay Slimm
A slice of your verse just about brings out the sunshine in me at any time Allie - - this gentle-gardener's gem finds roots to foster which border on deeper than onion beds and my dear you bring it off well with your intimate reference to all sorts of changes within your domain - - a fantastic array of phrasing which gets my star for best word collection in your poem library so far. Love Fay.xxxx
A slice of your verse just about brings out the sunshine in me at any time Allie - - this gentle-gardener's gem finds roots to foster which border on deeper than onion beds and my dear you bring it off well with your intimate reference to all sorts of changes within your domain - - a fantastic array of phrasing which gets my star for best word collection in your poem library so far. Love Fay.xxxx
Sandra Martyres
Allie, your poem draws a lovely parallel between life as it is and your gardening experience.... I love the feeling of hope throughout - "you slipped into the driver's seat of your recovery" , "I walk fresh paths - buds of anticipation bursting within me" & finally "I wonder what tomorrow will bring?"
Allie, your poem draws a lovely parallel between life as it is and your gardening experience.... I love the feeling of hope throughout - "you slipped into the driver's seat of your recovery" , "I walk fresh paths - buds of anticipation bursting within me" & finally "I wonder what tomorrow will bring?"
I'm feeling warm and good inside reading this lovely, inspiring poem of transforming our challenges by creating a beautiful garden to enjoy